Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the ceremony to mark the 79th Anniversary of Union Day, which falls on 12 February 2026. The full text of the translated message was as follows: –
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
On this special occasion of the 79th Anniversary of Union Day 2026 of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, falling today, 12 February, I extend my greetings and best wishes, praying that the entire Union-born ethnic people may enjoy good health, prosperity, and be blessed with abundant well-being and happiness.
Myanmar lived under colonial rule for more than 100 years, during which the unity of its ethnic groups was fractured due to the colonizers’ divide-and-rule administration. To resist colonialism and achieve national independence, all ethnic communities joined hands, making long-term sacrifices and engaging in armed struggle. With the determination to regain independence for both the hill regions and the plains as one, the leaders of the ethnic groups signed the Panglong Agreement on 12 February 1947. That day has since been commemorated annually as Union Day, and today marks its 79th anniversary.
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
The government has adopted the national objectives to ensure prosperity and food security, which are fundamental needs of any country and is implementing them. Only when the country is prosperous and secure can social and economic life develop, allowing all citizens to live happily and healthily. A nation can continue to progress and achieve lasting prosperity only through citizens who are knowledgeable, skilled, and virtuous. Accordingly, the education sector of the country is being prioritized and continuously promoted.
The State is also supporting the development of small, micro, and medium-sized industrial enterprises to boost production, so that high-quality, value-added products can not only meet domestic consumption needs but also be exported abroad.
Myanmar, blessed with fertile land and abundant natural resources, is a country with secure domestic food supplies due to sufficient arable land, a balanced population, a favourable climate, diverse ecosystems, and plentiful freshwater sources. To ensure that agricultural activities meet their production targets per acre, support is provided in the form of suitable crop varieties, land, water, technologies, and investment requirements tailored to each region. By combining traditional farming with modern techniques to increase yields and enhance productivity, the people’s food security is ensured, while also contributing to higher national economic output and GDP growth.
It is necessary to carry out both agriculture and livestock farming together to ensure food security. Efforts are being encouraged to carry out livestock and production for local sufficiency according to each region and to produce animal feed based on locally grown crops. The key requirement is that all citizens work diligently and contribute their efforts.
Therefore, to achieve the State’s national objectives of national prosperity and food security, all ethnic communities are strongly encouraged to work together in a united effort.
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
The fundamental needs of all ethnic communities are national peace and stability, the rule of law, and the ability to live, work, and access food safely. Any disruption to the stability and development of a region is caused solely by the actions of terrorists in that area. At present, these terrorists have committed destructive acts such as planting explosives on roads and bridges, damaging power lines, and setting fire to public buildings, resulting in blocked trade routes, disrupted goods transport, lost educational opportunities, and denied access to healthcare. In some regions, these disturbances have caused local ethnic communities to face declines in social and economic life, as well as threats to life and safety. As a result of these events, social and economic conditions have deteriorated, and the population is experiencing increased hardship, which requires special attention.
Our country is an independent and sovereign nation, and the State prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of all ethnic communities, ensuring the protection of their homes, lives, and livelihoods while exercising the legislative, executive and judicial powers.
A firm and reliable judicial system is being implemented to eliminate terrorism, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that all citizens fully enjoy their human rights. To support the enforcement of the rule of law within the country, knowledge about the law is being taught and disseminated not only to government officials but also to the new generation of students.
Tatmadaw is not only the people’s patriotic armed forces, born from among the citizens themselves, but also the Union armed forces that includes members from all ethnic groups. It is the most steadfast and resolute organization standing firmly for the State. Since the country gained independence, Tatmadaw has been maintaining and managing internal security up to the present time. With the support and encouragement of the entire population, it has been fully committed to defending the nation against all internal and external threats, relying on patriotism and courage, and carrying out its duties with utmost effort and dedication.
Tatmadaw has pledged to work alongside citizens who desire peace to restrain and defend against the unlawful and violent acts of armed groups, as well as any expansionist conflicts. For national defence and security, a modern people’s defence system will be developed based on domestic forces and with the full participation of all citizens. Tatmadaw will exist as long as the world stands, and as long as Tatmadaw exists, the Union will remain strong and stable. It is also necessary for all ethnic communities and the people to stand united with the State and Tatmadaw to protect the nation and ensure the Union does not break apart.
Therefore, in order to successfully implement national peace and the enforcement of the rule of law, all ethnic communities are urged to work hand in hand with the State Government and Tatmadaw.
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a nation founded on the universal principles of justice, freedom, and equality. Only when these universal principles, which uphold peace and harmony, flourish can conflicts within human society be reduced, allowing people to live together in unity and peace. All ethnic communities, with awakened awareness, must practise and uphold these universal principles for the country to stand as a peaceful and stable nation in the long term. All ethnic groups living in Myanmar have, for many centuries, lived together in harmony, sharing the same land and water, and are like Union-born national brethren.
All ethnic communities of the Union, who wish to live peacefully, are firmly committed to a durable peace that resolves conflicts. During the Youth Peace Forum, held from 13 to 15 January 2026, the voices of young people from across Myanmar expressing their desire for peace were also heard.
In building a Union based on democracy and a federal system, an enduring peace throughout the country is a fundamental requirement. The people of all ethnic communities themselves must ensure the peace of the nation. Therefore, to establish long-term and sustainable peace, ethnic armed groups need to participate in accordance with the common agreement of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
The democracy and peace of our country can only be successfully achieved through political dialogue and negotiation based on the spirit of Union solidarity among national brethren, free from foreign interference and internal sabotage. The State, for its part, continues to extend invitations to dialogue, always keeping the door to peace open and welcoming. As the strength of the nation lies primarily within the country, all ethnic communities must stand united and actively participate in the State’s peacemaking efforts, following the Union Day motto: “Let us build durable peace for the progress of the Union”.
Therefore, all ethnic armed groups are strongly urged to work together with the State to promote the universal principles of justice, freedom, and equality, and to collectively strive to establish durable peace.
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
In building a nation based on democracy and a federal system, the spirit of the Union serves as the foundation, while the close bonds, trust, unity, and collective efforts of all national brethren form the cornerstone. Since Myanmar is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, it is essential to unite these differences harmoniously and to live together in mutual trust, respect, and goodwill.
In accordance with the objectives of the National Defence and Security Council, free and fair elections have been successfully held. Appreciation and gratitude are extended to all citizens who fulfilled their duties as responsible nationals by casting their votes and to everyone who actively contributed to the success of the elections. The government that will emerge from the upcoming Hluttaws and meetings will be entrusted with the responsibilities of the State.
The strength of the Union depends on the unity and solidarity of all ethnic communities. All individuals must set aside thoughts and actions that do not benefit the nation and work together in a coordinated and harmonious manner on initiatives that promote the country’s well-being. Only in this way can the shared goal of a democratic and federal Union, envisioned by all ethnic communities, be achieved smoothly and swiftly.
In following the path of multiparty democracy, differences of opinion will naturally arise among individuals. However, as the saying goes, “Unity is strength, harmony is power, and peace is beauty,” every citizen must work hand in hand with mutual understanding, trust, and solidarity. Only through such cooperation can a strong and resilient Union be built that can stand confidently on the world stage.
Therefore, all national brethren are encouraged to genuinely participate, cooperating hand in hand, with mutual trust, unity, and collective effort, by practising a fully disciplined multiparty democratic system, to build a Union founded on democracy and a federal system.
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
By prioritizing the comprehensive development of education, healthcare, and socioeconomic life for all ethnic communities of the Union, including local people from remote border areas, a strong and balanced national capacity can be built to create a modern and progressive nation. Only when every citizen is healthy, fully capable, and well-educated in all fields can the country achieve its long-term development goals. Investment in education is essential for building a modern and developed nation, which is why education continues to be actively supported. Through teaching and learning that encourage critical thinking, innovation, and creativity, the aim is to cultivate a growing number of knowledgeable and skilled individuals.
To enable students to study and combine a wide range of disciplines in one place, the Naypyitaw State Academy has been newly opened in Nay Pyi Taw, along with nine Polytechnic Universities, including Naypyitaw State Polytechnic University, which are providing education across the regions and states. For the continuous development of the industrial sector, which is based on agriculture and livestock production – the foundation of the nation’s economic growth – basic education, high school, combined with industrial, agriculture and livestock subjects are being established and taught. Moreover, the University of Agriculture and Livestock (Maubin) has been opened to cultivate more agricultural and livestock professionals on whom the nation can rely. All citizens are encouraged to collectively nurture and develop the youth, who will shape the future of the country, into well-educated, virtuous, and capable individuals.
In the health sector, efforts are continuously being made to ensure that every citizen has access to basic healthcare services. This includes fully supplying hospitals with medicines and medical equipment, providing free medical treatment, and assigning adequate healthcare personnel. To improve the socioeconomic well-being of all citizens, measures are being taken to enhance transport infrastructure, increase energy production sustainably, expand the production of high-quality import-substitute goods, support industry, agriculture, and livestock, and nurture a healthy and capable human resource base. Additionally, support is being provided to study and apply artificial intelligence (AI) technology across various fields.
In order to build a modern and developed nation, the Government strives not only to engage domestic intellectuals and intelligentsia but also to invite investment and sector-specific experts from partner countries to obtain technical assistance, while implementing both short-term and long-term development plans.
As such, everyone is encouraged to work together to build a modern and developed nation and to promote the development of education, healthcare, and socioeconomic well-being for all ethnic communities.
Esteemed Union-born national brethren,
I send this message to all Union-born national brethren, urging them to solemnly recognize their hsitorical responsibilities, to work together hand in hand with a spirit of unity and with the Union spirit as their foundation to collectively build a strong, stable, and continuously developing Union that will endure as long as the world stands by realizing five national objectives of the 79th Anniversary of Union Day 2026: to work together among all ethnic nationals to achieve the country’s prosperity and food security, the national goal of the country; to cooperate hand-in-hand with the government, Tatmadaw and all ethnic nationals in successfully implementing the measures for stability and rule of law; to strive together with ethnic armed groups to establish a lasting peace, while propagating justice, freedom and equality within the country; to build a Union based on democracy and federalism, practising a genuine and disciplined multiparty democratic system through the friendship, trust, unity and collaboration of ethnic people; and to cooperate, ensuring the development of education, health and socioeconomic status of ethnic nationals and the emergence of a developing country.
Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu
Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
Acting President, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Chairman, the State Security and Peace Commission
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